Stamp support



Dec. 7,. 1937. AR o MORGAN 2,101,623

eeeeeeeeeeee tl R. O. MORGAN STAMP SUPPORT Filed May 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 7, l 937.

Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNiTEo STATES! Aarsr orties V6 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a stamp support, and Vmore particularly to `a dispensing device for supporting a plurality of sheets of stamps of various denominations in such a position that they can "berreadily handled. The inventio-n is particularly Iuselulin connection with the `use of sheets of pre-cancelled stamps.

An objectof the invention is to provide stampsupporting apparatusin which stamps-oi various ydenominations are rendered visible and easily accessible, means being provided for enabling the Sstamps to be readily `torn oli. A further object -is to `provide a `stam dispensing .device in which `the last row of stamps can be readily removed, Vwhile at` the same time being rendered visible. A `further, object is to provide adevice for dispensing. or supportingstamps or the like, in such :a manner thatthey are prevented `from curling -under humid or other atmospheric conditions, andin which thestamp sheets are securely held ragainst wind, draughts, etc. Other specic Aob'- jects and advantages will appear as the specica- `tion proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in (a preferred embodiment, by the accompanyingV drawings, in

`which-, y .Y

Fig. liis a perspective view of adispensing `dejviceembodying myinvention, the dispensingV de- `vice being provided with rows of stamps ,or the like; 'Fig'.Y 2, a longitudinal sectional View, the section `being'takenas indicated at line 2;-7-21of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a perspective View orione of the vdividers employed.

In theillustration given, 'a metalcase A is provided 'with abottom wall Il), having Va rearwardly f The case is alsoy providedl turned front edge Il. with-a rearwallv I2` and side walls I3.

The side walls I3 are provided with a plurality of spaced perforations I4, in which are mounted pivot rods I5, carrying the dividers i6.

The dividers I6 are each constructed, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. That is, the front portion of the divider is struck upwardly to provide a Y shoulder I1.

Just ahead of the shoulder II, is a relatively wide flange I8, which is provided near one side with slots I9. Near one end ofthe shoulder I'I, is a wire handle 2U, which is welded Awithin the curve of the shoulder. Secured to the rear portion of the dividers I5, are two spring 0 stripsv 2|, which have forwardly and upwardly extending free ends 22.

The dividers are assembled within the case A, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Between the lowermost divider and the bottom wall, and between each of the dividers thereabove, is sup- Vinthe divider compartment.

denominations.

(o1. V20e-is) ported a sheet of stamps v23. The stamps are illustrated as provided with suitable perforations, and at the front of each sheet oistampsa row is folded back along its horizontal line of perforations. It will be observed that the front edge 5 of each of the dividers I5 tendsto press thestamp forwardly, while at the same time the shoulders I1 press the stamp row rearwardly. The function of the shoulder I'I, in this respect, is achieved by the iront edge il ci case 4A with respect to the 10 lowermost row or" stamps.

On the side of the case, where the slots I9 appear, it will be observed that thereris nothing to interfere with lateral movement of the-stamps. On the opposite side, the wall VI3 is provided with 15 a plurality of spaced notches V24, adaptedito re.- ceive the `handles 20.

In the operation of the device, sheets of `stamps lare placed between the dividers and vbetween the lowermost divider and the bottom wall I Il, as 20 shownmo-re clearly in Fig. 2. The spring fingers ZZ'engage the rear edges of the stamp sheets and prevent them'from falling into theV back part of the case. At the same time, they Imaintainthem yieldingly in .position within the divider compart- .25` Y ment.

The spring iingers are particularlyuseful when only a portion of the stamp sheet .remains Such a. sheet would tend to become dislocated if it were not for Athe spring ngers. Preferably, there is securedibe- 30 tween eachof the dividers stamp sheets of diierent denominations, so that'there is presented to the operator a series of stamp rowsofdiferent For the purpose of illustration, case A has been shownwth onlyV a few dividers, ,35 andtherefore only afew stamp compartments. In practice, it is common to provide'case A with a much larger number of dividers. j

The operator, in applying the stamps to parcel post packages, etc., can readily grasp any stamp 40 of the desired denomination and tear it, the front edge of the divider serving as a firm, straight edge against which the tearris eiected. In this manner, the vertical rows of stamps can be used. When a row has been completed, the operator 45 draws forward another row of stamps on the same sheet, and it is then caused to assume a vertical position between the forward edge of the divider and the shoulder or upwardly extending projection ll on the divider therebelow. When 5() the last row of stamps is reached, it will be obvious that this cannot be drawn to a vertical Y position. Thesestamps are fed laterally by the operator pressing hisV inger through slots I9. The side edge of the divider 4forms a straight 55 edge against which the laterally moved stamps can be torn. When the last row has been fed laterally, and the last stamp removed, a new sheet may be inserted into the compartment and used up in the manner already described. It will be understood that a large number of stamp sheets can be supported in each compartment, and after the topmost sheet has been consumed, the next sheet may be drawn forward.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the upwardly extending projection I'l of each divider is curved somewhat rearwardly so that there is a space between its bottom portion and the edge of the divider thereabove. As one of the dividers is lifted vertically, the edge of the divider thereabove is brought into engagement with the shoulder so as to provide a stop. However, the space is sufficient to permit raising each divider a sufficient distance to permit the insertion of sheets of stamps. Further upward movement is prevented, thus making it diflicult for the operator to throw the rest of the stamp sheets out of position or location. In other words, the space between each divider front edge and the shoulder therebelow affords a limited vertical movement of the divider below, for the necessary insertion of sheets, but prevents a larger opening, which might result in the dislocation of sheets.

The rearwardly inclined angle of the shoulders or upward extensions H not only piaces the stamps at a convenient angle for tearing, but also supports the stamps in a position in which they can be readily seen by the user.

While in the construction shown, I have set forth certain specific details as being desirable, it will be understood that many of such details may be modied greatly, or even eliminated, and the construction can be considerably changed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

l. In apparatus of the character set forth for supporting sheets of stamps or the like, perforated to form rows, a casing, a plurality of stamp sheet-supporting dividers movably mounted in said casing in stepped relation, each of said dividers being provided with an integral upwardly extending shoulder cooperating with the forward edge of the divider thereabove for maintaining a row of stamps in a substantially vertical plane, said dividers being provided, ad-

jacent their forward edges and near one side, with finger slots by which stamps confined between said dividers may be moved laterally.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing, a plurality of dividers movably secured to said casing, said dividers providing between them compartments adapted to receive stamp sheets perforated in rows, each of said dividers being provided at a point spaced from its forward end with an upwardly extending shoulder, said shoulder cooperating with the forward end of the divider thereabove for maintaining a row of stamps in a substantially vertical position.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing, a plurality of plate dividers movably carried by said casing, at least some of said dividers having a forward portion thereof folded upwardly to provide shoulders, said shoulders being spaced from the front edge thereof, said shoulder cooperating with the front edge of the plate divider thereabove to maintain a portion of a sheet in an angular position with respect to the remaining portion of the sheet.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing equipped with downwardly and forwardly inclined sides, plate dividers pivotally supported in said sides and in stepped relation, each of said dividers being provided near its forward portion with an upwardly extending shoulder spaced a short distance ahead of the front edge of the divider thereabove.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing equipped with downwardly and forwardly inclined sides, plate dividers pivotally supported in said sides and in stepped relation, each of said dividers being provided near its forward portion with an upwardly extending shoulder spaced a short distance ahead of the front edge of the divider thereabove, and each of said dividers having that portion ahead of the shoulder provided near one side with a laterally extending finger slot.

6. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing equipped with downwardly and forwardly inclined sides, plate dividers pivotally supported in said sides and in stepped relation, each of said dividers being provided near its forward portion with an upwardly extending shoulder spaced a short distance ahead of the front edge of the divider thereabove, and each of said dividers having that portion ahead of the shoulder provided near one side with a laterally extending finger slot, at least one side wall being out away to permit the lateral movement of sheets confined between said dividers beyond said cut away casing side.

RICHARD O, MORGAN. 

